Pension Puutaro
Zao-Onsen 934-26
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Why people book this hotel
“Location is good”
“Excellent location, very friendly staff and the breakfast was fantastic- if degu…”
“The host was very friendly and helpful”
“Kako and her staff were lovely, helpful, happy and welcoming”
“The room was big, the beds were comfortable, the onsen was lovely and it wasn’t …”
“The room was spacious and very clean”
“The breakfasts were varied and of the highest quality”
“This property was located a great location right opposite the ski lifts we had b…”
“The location is perfect, the room was clean, warm and comfortable”
“Its well located in Zao, very close to both main roapways (3 mins and 5 mins wal…”
“Breakfast was very filling, delicious and good value”
Overview
Only a 1-minute walk from the Zao Onsen Ski resort, Pension Puutaro offers Japanese-style rooms, a French course for dinner and free Wi-Fi. The property is located just a minute's walk from Shinzaemon No Yu, a hot spring bath complex. Free parking is available, and Zao Ropeway is just 1 minute on foot. From Puutaro Pension it’s a 3-minute walk to the Chuo Ropeway. The property is an 8-minute walk from Zao Bus Terminal, which connects to JR Yamagata Station in 45 minutes. Okama Lake can be visited a 40-minute drive away. Rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor, on which traditional futon bedding is spread to sleep in. Amenities include a TV, a fridge and air conditioning/heating. Yukata robes are provided, while toilets and bathrooms are shared. A Western breakfast is served at the dining room between 07:30 and 08:30. Dinner time is from 18:30, and from 19:30 at the latest.
Traveller reviews
Nicole
couple
March 1, 2026
“Excellent stay with very nice Japanese host.”
Location is good. Next to the ropeway. The host was very friendly and helpful. She made the stay very nice.
Kim
extended_group
February 25, 2026
“Highl yrecommend and definitely order the breakfast- you will not be disappointed (or hungry!)”
Excellent location, very friendly staff and the breakfast was fantastic- if degustation breakfasts were a thing- Pension Puutato has nailed it. Thank you
Jacqui
couple
February 20, 2026
“We loved our stay at Puutaro”
The location was very easy access to the slopes. Kako and her staff were lovely, helpful, happy and welcoming. The room was big, the beds were comfortable, the onsen was lovely and it wasn’t busy although full of guests. I would definitely stay here again.
Damian
couple
February 20, 2026
“Excellent all round”
The location is perfect, the room was clean, warm and comfortable. The host Keiko was extremely kind and attentive.
Benjamin
solo_traveller
February 5, 2026
“You have to stay there!”
Great location close to the ski lifts beautifully maintained and decorated. The breakfasts were varied and of the highest quality.
Alex
extended_group
February 1, 2026
“Warm and friendly and very comfortable fantastic location.”
This property was located a great location right opposite the ski lifts we had breakfast every day there the food was good and a mixture of western and Japanese. Keiko san looked after us very well.
Debbie
couple
January 30, 2026
Lovely family run hotel, Keiko was very accommodating, would definitely return.
Matt
couple
January 23, 2026
Had a wonderful stay at Pension Putaaro. Its well located in Zao, very close to both main roapways (3 mins and 5 mins walk respectively) rooms are large, clean, warm and comfortable. Hosts were so friendly, helpful and accommodating. Breakfast each morning was wonderful. Separate ski drying room with its own entrance. A great place to stay in Zao
Amy
couple
January 15, 2026
Emiko was an attentive and considerate host who checked in with us each day and was happy to give advice where needed. The breakfasts were wonderful and we could walk to the first ski lift in 2 minutes with restaurants and onsen just down the road.
KATE
couple
January 10, 2026
Kaiko, the owner, was absolutely fantastic. Nothing was too hard and constantly went the extra mile for our large group of 12. Food was fabulous, position fantastic and we will definitely be back.
Chiu Yen
solo_traveller
April 16, 2025
“People is nice and friendly.”
Adam
couple
March 21, 2025
“Quaint Pension in the Heart of Zao”
Keiko was an amazing host, very helpful and friendly. The Pension was in a fantastic location, right across the road from the ropeway. Breakfast was very filling, delicious and good value. The room was spacious and very clean.
LIYI
couple
March 11, 2025
“NICE，CLEAN，COZY STAY. FEEL LIKE HOME.”
KEIKO様はvery smart and beautiful personです。Japanese-style room very good.very comfortable.Toilet good.Bathroom nice.Bathtub kind of like a small hot spring.Very close to the no.1 and no.3 ropeway.There is a coupon of the lift ticket and rental on the front door.ALL GOOD.
Josephine
extended_group
February 25, 2025
“The chalet is well maintained and run by a sweet couple. The wife Kunimatsu San is very sweet and helpful. She is resp”
Great location. 2 mins walk to skiing rink and convenience store. The breakfast is amazing.
Shum
extended_group
February 25, 2025
“Worth to stay for ski or snowboarding trip.”
Very convenient to reach rental shops and cable cars, almost ski-in and Ski-out. The owner is very helpful. She helped us to call free taxi, communicate with clinic before we reached there for checking injuries caused by snowboarding.
stephen
family_with_children
February 16, 2025
“Wonderful”
The location is excellent. The lady who runs it is so welcoming and will go out of her way to help. The rooms are large and traditional Japanese which we liked. Has a drying room with own entrance.
Brianna
couple
February 12, 2025
Location was awesome - just a short walk to Ropeway. Warm room and clean bathroom. The staff were lovely and very helpful.
stephen
couple
February 11, 2025
Very close to ski lift and rooms were very clean and warm
Lloyd
extended_group
February 9, 2025
“Lovely host. Cosy room near bathrooms and drying room. Located near supermarket, restaurants, ski hire and be lifts. Gre”
Right at the Ropeway and chairlift
Polly
couple
February 8, 2025
“Excellent”
Breakfast
Facilities
Activities
Golf course (within 3 km), Canoeing, Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Skiing, Horse riding
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guests have the option to cancel any cleaning services for their accommodation during their stay
Food & Drink
Special diet menus (on request), Breakfast options, Kid meals, Wine/champagne, Fruits, Coffee house on site, Restaurant, Bar
Food & drink safety
Physical distancing in dining areas
General
Non-smoking throughout, Designated smoking area, Heating, Non-smoking rooms, WiFi available in all areas, Bicycle parking
Internet
Free WiFi, WiFi, Internet services
Outdoors
Garden, Outdoor furniture
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed, Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas
Safety & security
Key access, Security alarm, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property, Face masks for guests available
Services
Luggage storage
Ski
Ski storage, Ski pass vendor, Ski-to-door access
Japanese-Style Room
The family room features tatami, soundproof walls, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a hairdryer and slippers. The family room provides an electric kettle, yukata, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit has 2 futons.
Standard Twin Room
The twin room includes a private bathroom, well-fitted with a bath, a shower, a bidet, a hairdryer and slippers. The twin room provides soundproof walls, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, yukata and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard Twin Room with Sofa
The twin room provides soundproof walls, an electric kettle, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a hairdryer and slippers. The unit offers 2 beds.
Japanese-Style Quadruple Room
The quadruple room offers tatami, soundproof walls, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a hairdryer and slippers. The quadruple room features an electric kettle, yukata, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 4 futons.
Hotel Policies
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